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| Beijing residents fight SARS with exercise |
| CCTV.COM 2003-05-26 09:05:30 |
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 Ever since the SARS outbreak, Beijing's street life has changed dramatically. Backyards are packed with residents busy exercising every day. Parks have become something like busy shopping areas, with people eager to breathe clean air and enjoy nature.
Outdoor exercise has become a daily necessity for Beijingers of all ages. Skateboarding, martial arts practice, jogging －－ everyone has a way of building up their resistance. Badminton and table tennis are the hottest choices.
 A Beijing resident said, "I didn't exercise much before, because I was always too busy with work. But now with the spread of SARS, I come here directly after work everyday."
Matt Lewis, general manager of Evolution Fitness, said, "With SARS coming on, we have seen the younger generation coming out, some of them are our members, and they are running in the parks or they are playing badminton in the streets, and finding other ways to exercise in this climate."
 The virus has given us a chance to think about a lot of things around us. Health has become the No.1 priority for everybody. And exercise is no longer considered a pastime, but a necessity.
Body－building machines and equipment sold out quickly in shopping centers. In the past month, one department store has sold over 110,000 pairs of badminton rackets. And the number is still increasing. Chess, fishing equipment, bicycles and other sporty stuff are among the most needed in Beijing.
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Editor: Inner Wu CCTV.com
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